The Best Breakfast Foods for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Eating a nutritional breakfast is essential for anyone who wants to live a healthy life. Regardless of whether or not you have rheumatoid arthritis, a great breakfast can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. Giving up breakfast is not recommended, nor is turning to less healthy convenience or comfort foods like snack cakes or donuts. It has long been recognized in the RA community that foods full of sugar and empty calories can make RA symptoms and inflammation a lot worse.

It’s not necessary to sacrifice time or convenience to eat a nutritious and wholesome breakfast. Instead of reaching into the cabinets for junky snack food, reach instead for fruit slices and other foods that have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce your inflammation, decrease RA symptoms, and ease pain. Even if you’re feeling slowed down by morning stiffness, it’s still possible to take advantage of the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and foods high in protein.

A nutritional breakfast is considered to be the foundation of a good day; it helps to set the tone for the individual. So, no matter how lazy we may feel in the morning, try to resist the temptation to skip breakfast or just eat any sugar-laden junk foods, which can actually make your day lousy or lethargic. Especially for those suffering from RA, food items that are loaded with sugar or that have empty calories will only serve to worsen the inflammation. There is always time for an individual to find fresh fruits and foods that are full of protein.

• Berries or cherries: Strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries are lower in sugar than most other fruits, and their rich colors mean that they are high in antioxidants. Both of these qualities are said to be helpful for those individuals who are looking for ways to reduce their inflammation. In one medical study, it was seen that eating cherries or drinking cherry juice can prove to be beneficial for the body. These fruits are known to contain anti-inflammatory properties that benefit those who suffer from RA or any other type of arthritis.
• Plan meals ahead of time: Those who suffer from RA often have mornings where they feel stiff or wake up with swollen joints, and so they may not feel like preparing any meals. But you can consider heating up dinner leftovers and having that, or you can also make a quick smoothie, which can include a healthy blend of fruits and veggies.
• Consider eating potassium-rich foods: Those who suffer from RA are known to have low levels of potassium in their body, due to which they often need to take supplements or medications to counterbalance this deficiency. If you suffer from low levels of potassium, consider opting for potassium-rich foods such as spinach or bananas. Similarly, if you feel that your inflammation is rising, then look for some anti-inflammatory foods such as plums or peaches. You can chop up these fruits or veggies and place them in a plastic bag, then place them in the refrigerator to be consumed the next morning.
• Eggs: Eggs are a common breakfast recommendation, whether they be boiled, scrambled, or poached, because eggs are a great source of protein. You can also prepare an omelet by adding in some veggies such as bell peppers, broccoli, or whatever other vegetables you can get your hands on. At times, though, eggs can be difficult to make for someone who suffers from RA. In such instances, one can look to buy eggs that have already been prepared in a carton. But for those who eat eggs in the morning, try to avoid any other sources of protein in the meal or for the rest of the day since an excess of protein or use of protein powders can lead to high levels of protein in the body, which is not good for you.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: There are multiple sources of omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the entire body. Seafood, nuts, seeds, and veggies such as kale, cauliflower, and beans are all good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.